Brooklyn prosecutors have declined to file charges against a 32-year-old man who shot another man four times on a crowded subway train on Thursday, citing evidence of self-defence. The incident occurred at approximately 4.45pm on an A train in Brooklyn, when the 32-year-old was allegedly approached aggressively by a 36-year-old man.
According to police, the older man displayed a sharp object before reaching for a gun. The younger man then grabbed the weapon and shot him four times. The 36-year-old was taken to hospital in critical condition with wounds to the neck, chest and face. A small calibre firearm was recovered at the scene.
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office stated on Friday: “Yesterday’s shooting inside a crowded subway car was shocking and deeply upsetting. The investigation is ongoing but, at this stage, evidence of self-defence precludes us from filing any criminal charges against the shooter.”
New video footage suggests a woman travelling with the 32-year-old may have been involved, appearing to cut the alleged aggressor with a sharp object from her purse. The woman has not been identified, and it is unclear if charges will be brought against her. Police do not believe the two men knew each other prior to the confrontation.
Videos on social media showed terrified passengers huddling on the floor as the train pulled into Hoyt Schermerhorn station, where officers heard gunshots and ran towards the scene. Janno Lieber, chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, called it “absolutely outrageous” that someone would bring a gun onto the subway, adding that the real victims were the passengers who endured a harrowing experience.
